Full Ashpan

chester · Post by **chester** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 9:50 am

OK ,kinda stupid question Iam going to ask but here goes anyway. Would a full ash pan effect the draw of air up into the coal bed in any way? I have a Hitzer 50-93 and I took out a heaping ash pan this weekend and it got me to wondering.

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 9:57 am

I don't know what the bowels of your stove looks like but if I let the ashes mound over and prohibit cooler air through, the grates can get over heated and warp.

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 10:07 am

If the ashes pile up to the grates, the grates can warp since cooler combustion air won't properly take heat away from them.

Other than that, the less obstruction for combustion air the better. I don't even keep my ash pan in under the grates thru the burn. I would rather the radiant heat project onto the floor of the fire box. This increases surface area for heat transfer

Keepaeyeonit · Post by **Keepaeyeonit** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 10:24 am

Chester, the only stupid question is the one not asked!i have a 983 so the ash pans are similar in size but running a stove with a heaping ash pan is never a good idea as the others have said but I just shake the pan so the ash is lower then the sides of the pan( for me that's the 4:30 am shake/reload)I will remove the pan after the 7:30pm shake/reload because the pan is full. You want the air to flow without any restrictions.Keepaeyeonit

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 11:44 am

YES, it definitely can chester. How often do you empty your ash pan?

chester · Post by **chester** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 12:21 pm

at Least once a month Fred Lol, I don't let it get up to the grates ever. was just emptying it and the question popped in to my noggin!

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 1:14 pm

Nice my Erieville friend

--More clear--it being real full will effect the underfire air from the back flap--I know I empty every second tending/shaking----after approx. 6 good quick shakes each time.

chester · Post by **chester** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 4:17 pm

I Empty the ash pan at least every other shake down Fred( I was being a smartass). just had a full one last night and that question popped into my mind. So does the front face of the ash pan hinder air flow if you have the ash pan door vents cracked open a bit?

Post by **franco b** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 4:53 pm

I think the danger to the grates is the main concern. Ash is a good insulator and reflects back the heat to the grates, overheating them.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Dec. 03, 2013 6:41 pm

I don't know on that chester, I never crack mine--it just works best for my set up for some reason???????? BUT, what franco b said is a trueity!

chester wrote:I Empty the ash pan at least every other shake down Fred( I was being a smartass). just had a full one last night and that question popped into my mind. So does the front face of the ash pan hinder air flow if you have the ash pan door vents cracked open a bit?